Police investigate new evidence into death of man more than 20 years ago
0 The body of Kevin Mcleod was found in Wick harbour Police are “actively investigating new evidence” provided by the family of a man who died 21 years ago.
The body of Kevin Mcleod, 24, was found in Wick harbour on 9 February 1997.
His family believe that injuries on his body showed that he was murdered.
Mr Mcleod’s parents said Police Scotland have told them that 15 potential witnesses in Wick and Inverness are to be interviewed.
More people could be interviewed depending on what information is provided by the 15, his parents June and Hugh Mcleod said.
Det Ch Supt Gareth Blair, head of major crime, said: “Police Scotland is actively investigating new evidence provided by the family. However, at this time the death remains unexplained.
“Our sympathies remain with Kevin’s family and we would again appeal for anyone with information to please come forward.”
Mr Mcleod, an electrician from Wick, was last seen alive in the early hours of 8 February 1997 while on a night out with friends in the Caithness town. His body was recovered from the sea the following day.
The handling of the death has previously been described as a “huge miscarriage of justice”. Last year Police Scotland made an “unreserved apology” for “serious failings” in the initial investigation by Northern Constabulary, including a decision not to investigate the death as murder despite an instruction from prosecutors.
Earlier this year local MSP Gail Ross said the way the Mcleod family had been treated was “an absolute disgrace”.
Mr Mcleod’s family have previously called for an independent inquiry into why Northern Constabulary ignored a direction from prosecutors to investigate the death as a murder.
They believe Mr Mcleod had massive internal injuries consistent with being kicked several hours prior to his drowning.
In 2007, the Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland said Northern Constabulary had behaved with “institutional arrogance” in the way it handled complaints from the Mcleod family.